tourist7 is quite right...

The group that visited us this year got caught up with over 40degC...

Albeit it was an atypical year, we are suffering severe draught in over 70% of portuguese territory, at the moment, it can get pretty hot...

like my fan assisted oven

To give those interested in the Blatt a bit of an idea, here's an example schedule...



As can be seen, it will be rather 'full-on' based on a 2 week trip!

Could we come back monday and save a day, don't fancy too long in a tent after some nice stops on the way.

Anyone can leave when they want...
But, I intend to spend Monday having a great, long, lazy lunch at Le Manoir Saint Quentin again!
(And the ferry is a lot cheaper on Tuesday!)

tuesday it is then, thought it was lunch at le bounty

We had a bit of a chat about the route at the Xmas AGM, and there does seem to be a valid opinion that trying to link Classic Le Mans into the trip could be a step too far...
Have to say, I'm not really wedded to the plan to visit Le Bounty, so what are other's thoughts on this?
Would bypassing Le Mans/Le Bounty be the preferable option?


One thing to point out is the ferry is a single night (24 hours) - with the option of departing late afternoon on Tuesday or Friday, or morning on Saturday, arriving the following day approx 24 hours later.

Le Mans, been there, done that, really like the bog club rd trips as they are with beds to fall into at the end off the day, i am more than happy to swerve the classic next year and enjoy the rd trip . happy to go with the flow re the ferry and really looking forward to this with you all.

Oh and

The great thing about this trip is it can be split up, with some joining later, and others leaving earlier - there is no need for all to do the whole trip!
For example, if anyone one wants to join later, they can get a ferry to Santander/Bilbao to join the earlier group as they leave Spain for France...
And if other want to head off earlier, they can miss-our other sections, such as Le Mans, if the main group do want to stop there for 2 nights.
Real flexability!!!

Eugene
Just a thought .lf we side step The Classic the dates can be changed so the return ferry could be a bit cheaper as it is not le man's related .?

re the ferry... so it's a 24hr voyage departing either early or late... ie a choice of arriving in Santander and starting the blat early in the morning or late in the day. I'd prefer the former - having been on a boat for so long, would want to go for a drive rather than just drive to nearby accommodation... but guess that means we'd have to be Portsmouth at Silly O'Clock on the Saturday morning...

As commented before, like Frank: Le Mans Classic, been there done that (though I didn't buy the £50 t-shirt!) and would be keen for the trip to come in under a fortnight for domestic politicial reasons! The two work hand-in-hand. It also would give flexibility of timing which could allow us to avoid a meteorological roasting and maybe for me to do the Wimbledon driving!

I've checked ferry costs, and to be honest there is little difference in prices, assuming you avoid the obvious dates to/from Le Mans - and remember in June you have the main Le Mans race... 16th/17th June.

Costs are approx:

Portsmouth to Santander £210
Portsmouth to Bilbao £185
(Both plus cabin)
Caen to Portsmouth £150

The biggest difference seems to be the day of the week you travel. Anything mid-week is often cheaper, especially on the shorter northern France crossing - the longer Spain crossing seems to be fairly consistent in price..

The outbound ferry, to arrive Santander or Bilbao early afternoon, leaves Portsmouth at 08:45 am.
I'd go for an overnight hotel/B7B local to Portsmouth, as we did for The Long Way Up!

The Santander morning ferry departs on Saturday, the Bilbao ferry on Tuesday.

At the moment, Uncle Albert and I have a preference for Tues. 26th June out, return Tues. 10th July (the dates already suggested).
And we may swerve Classic Le Mans - opting for a last night at Le Château, as this year...

This still provides for anyone to join the run later, or leave earlier.
A good short trip could even be to return via Santander or Bilbao, and swerve France all together...

typo...? The 26 June out...?

Corrected!!!